Choquequirao Trek (7 Days)

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Choquequirao Trek 07 days / 06 nights

$1456 per person
Tour Details

With this expedition, you will visit two of the major archaeological sites of Cusco: CHOQUEQUIRAO and MACHU PICCHU. The legend of Machu Picchu is already known all over the world. Since the re-discovery of Machu Picchu by Hiram Bingham.

While Machu Picchu is well known, less is known about Choquequirao ruins.  The archaeological site of CHOQUEQUIRAO is part of the complex system of Andean towns in Vilcabamba Valley, in this adventure you will enjoy landscapes as well as remote villages and the real trails of the Inca culture.

CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK

Type of Tour

Archaeological, cultural, ecological, hiking and camping

Duration:

07 Days – 06 Nights

Starting point:

Cusco

Ending point:

Cusco

GROUP SERVICE: (2 to 8 people MAX): Our most popular Ausangate Trek is recommended for everybody who likes the adventure, families, honeymooners and couples.

PRIVATE SERVICE: All inclusive for families with children, honeymooners and couples. Special trek program just for you, and you can depart any day you wish and choose the group size, we don’t add any people, is arranged just for you. All private groups include additional services, such as: extra porters, horses to ride and to carry your personal gear (for alternate treks), first class Vistadome train, luxury hotels if required.

Inclusions

  • Transfer from your hotel
  • Tourist Transportation from Cusco to Cachora
  • Professional English-Spanish Speaking Tour Guide
  • Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 10 people
  • Andean horses to carry all camping equipment
  • Emergency horse
  • Professional Chef and Assistants
  • Food: 6 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 6 Afternoon Snacks and 6 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food, please let us know.
  • Vegetarian food option
  • Camping Equipment Tents for 2 people ,dining tent with tables and chairs
  • Sleeping mattress
  • Oxygen bottle, first aid kit
  • Hotel Accommodation in the town of “Aguas Calientes”
  • Bus ticket from “Aguas Calientes” to Machu Picchu
  • Entrance to Machu Picchu
  • Train ticket Expedition Service from “Aguas Calientes” to Ollantaytambo
  • Transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco and Hotel

Not Included

  • Personal trekking gear, sleeping bag, tips to the guide and support staff, city services.
  • First breakfast (first day) is normally provided at your hotel before leaving.
  • Last lunch at the end of the tour on the 7th Day.
  • Extra horse and muleteer: $220 USD
  • Single tent supplement: $40 USD
  • Sleeping bag (optional): $40 USD
  • Vistadome train upgrade : 60.00 USD.

We Recommend that You Bring

  • Trekking daypack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek.
  • Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho.
  • Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended.
  • Sandals or plastic slips on thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breath
  • Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf. Thermal wear is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
  • Torch/ Flashlight and spare batteries
  • Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
  • Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
  • Sun block cream
  • After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
  • Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – although no malaria risk has been reported
  • Toilet paper, pack in & pack out
  • Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
  • Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
  • We advise you to bring water, sterilizing tablets in case you collect water from streams.
  • Your own medical kit with any special medications.
  • Small towel or sarong
  • Bathers/swimsuit (if you intend swimming in hot springs )
  • Enough cash for snacks, tips and souvenirs.
  • Original passport & ISIC (International Student Identity Card) if you have one.
  • Walking sticks or poles (we can hire these to you. Please note poles with metal tips cannot be carried into Machu Picchu and should be left at your hotel on the final day).
Itinerary

Day 1Cusco – Cachora – “Playa Rosalina” (Apurimac River).

At 05:00 a.m, we will pick up our customers from their hotels, and then we will transfer them by our private van to Cachora (4 hours), once we will meet the rest of team (muleteers and horses). Then, we will begin trek go uphill, passing through the high pass of Capuliyoc where we might see condors and great view of the Apurimac Canyon. Finally, we’ll descend through Cactus forest to “Playa Rosalina” on the banks of the Apurimac River, the main tributary of the Amazon River. Camping at “Playa Rosalina” (1,550 masl).

  (L) = Lunch / (D) = Dinner.

Day 2“Playa Rosalina” – Marampata – Choquequirao

After an early breakfast, 5 hours strenuous of uphill trek through a long and narrow trail, surrounded by beautiful vegetation with several varieties of orchids. Half-way up stop for lunch at Marampata, then we’ll continue hiking to more hours to Choquequirao, and it’s considered as the sister city of Machu Picchu, because of several similarities, it hangs 1,500 masl above the Apurimac Canyon and Machu Picchu hang above the Urubamba canyon. The view of the canyon is spectacular; it is also possible to see Andean Condors soaring in the mountains. Camping near of Choquequirao (3,050 masl).

  (B) = Breakfast / (L) = Lunch / (D) = Dinner.

Day 3Choquequirao – Choquequirao Pass – “Rio Blanco” – Maizal

Breakfast will be at 07:00 a.m and then we’ll start our trek passing the Choquequirao ruins, uphill through cloud forest, Mountains and valleys to reach the Choquequirao pass. After 5 hours of trek, the trail continues through agricultural terraces called Pinchinuyoc which means (water jumping forward – at 2,750 masl). There, we will observe different species of birds, different varieties of orchids, and local coca plantations. We will have our lunch near the “Rio Blanco”, we’ll use the brake here to get a refreshing bath in the cold and clear river water. We’ll cross walking through the river, since there are no bridges. After our break, we’ll start the long and steep climb to our camp in Maizal, high over the river close to the sacred Apus of the Incas. From “Rio Blanco”, we’ll climb up to Maizal for about 5 hours. Camping at 3,000 masl.

 (B) = Breakfast / (L) = Lunch / (D) = Dinner.

Day 4Maizal – Minas Victoria – Yamana

Early in the morning, we will trek around the Corihuayrachina glacier, important due to some archaeological remains such as Inca channels. From here, we’ll start walking uphill passing by the impressive mines called “Minas Victoria” and towards the Victoria Pass. Again a long climb, but we’ll walk in amazingly beautiful area – first with cloud forest and then over Andean Puna with the well-known Ichu grass. Then, we’ll pass through “Minas Victoria”, a place that during the colony, silver was extracted from a mine. Almost on the top, we can appreciate original paved Inca trails. We’ll take our lunchbox at the pass of 4,200 masl with view of the mountain Choquetakarpo while we’ll have lunch we will be able to appreciate the flight of the condors depending on the climate, and finally descend to our campsite at Yamana, a small isolated settlement at the bottom of a long valley surrounded by mountains (3,800 masl).

   (B) = Breakfast / (L) = Lunch / (D) = Dinner.

Day 5Yamana – Mountain Range – Totora

After an early breakfast, trekking uphill to the highest pass in this trek, named Yamana. Again the view will be amazingfrom here we will be surrounded by mountain range of Saqsarayoc and Padreyoc. Once again, we’ll have the chance to see condors, and this morning smooth climb will bring us through new landscapes – especially the wet grass fields under the snowline that distinguish from everything else seen on the tour. In the passwe might walk in snow, and the descent is a long foggy hike through grassy fields- and bush areas and crossing small poor wood bridgeson the way towards the community of Totora, where we’ll spend the night in tents in an indescribable beauty, surrounded by pure nature.

   (B) = Breakfast / (L) = Lunch / (D) = Dinner.

Day 6Totora – “La Playa/The Beach” – “Hidroeléctrica” – “Aguas Calientes”.    

This day, the trek will be by 7 hours, descending into Totora River. We will observe the natural wildlife such as hummingbirds, woodpeckers, many species of orchids and begonias. Then, we’ll descend the trail on the left side of the Santa Teresa River where we will see small plantations of bananas, passion fruit, and coffee. On the way, we will stop at small waterfalls and get a refreshing natural bath. The area also has a big variety of birds, the climate and vegetations have changed totally. The “Playa/Beach” is the biggest village on the way, where we can find some small shops to buy snack etc. In this areawe might see small plantations of coffee and bananas. Campsite at 2,125 masl. Alter our last lunchwe will take a transport that takes us until the town of Santa Teresa, then we will cross a river of Vilcanota. Where we will take a transport to “Hidroeléctrica”, place where we will have an excellent view of a different angle of Machu Picchu and the Aobamba Canyon, where another Inca trail can be seen. After a good rest and walk of 3 hours, we will reach the town of “Aguas Calientes”, where we will have dinner. Optional visit to the hot springs. We will spend the night in hostel.

   (B) = Breakfast / (L) = Lunch / (D) = Dinner.

Day 7“Aguas Calientes” – Machu Picchu – Cusco

After an early breakfast in “Aguas Calientes”, we will take the bus up to Machu Picchu, there you will have a guided tour for all the Archaeological Site, then we will have free time to be in Machu Picchu. At the end of the tour, you will come back to “Aguas Calientes” to have lunch by yourself, and you will have free afternoon. At night, you will have to take the train back to Ollantaytambo, there the bus will be waiting for you to carry you back to Cusco.

   (B) = Breakfast.

Gallery

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE

Entrances Tickets to Machu Picchu – Wayna Picchu Mountain and Machu Picchu – Machu Picchu Mountain are limited, check the availability: www.machupicchu.gob.pe

Please you must book and pay a deposit in advance, so we can secure your spots. For high season (May to October, 4-5 months in advance, low season: November to April, 2-3 months in advance).

Student price for people under the age of 24 without ISIC card, you need to indicate in the comments section of the booking.

Note: Horses will carry the heavy gear; you will hike carrying only your personal pack, sleeping bag and pad.

If you are considering to bring special photography equipment or other heavy accessories, or just simply don’t want to carry anything, please request an additional horse and muleteer ($100 USD) to carry your personal belongings, this way you will freely enjoy the hike (this is highly recommended if you have never hiked over 10,000 ft.). Chefs will deal with all the kitchen chores.

Frequently Asked Questions-(FAQ)

How difficult is the Choquequirao Trek?

You just need to remember that you are able to go at a speed that is comfortable for you. Take your time, pace yourself, and enjoy. Choquequirao Trek is considered as a moderate hike; not a technical hike but high altitude may affect some people.

Are trekking poles or sticks necessary?

We recommend the use of trekking poles, especially for those passengers with known knee problems. There are multiple times during the trek that trekking poles is handy, be it ascending a mountain or walking along the rough trails.

Is altitude sickness common? And how high is the Choquequirao Trek?

It’s impossible to predict who will be affected by altitude. Your ability to adapt to high altitude is determined by your genetic makeup and has little to do with fitness or health. Most people will have no problems as long as they take the time to acclimatize properly. A full 2-day trip spent in Cusco (3,399 masl), taking it very easy and drinking plenty of water is enough for some people but if you can arrange to have minimum 2-3 days in case of any travel disruptions as well then this is what we recommend as there is also so much to do here! The highest point you will reach while hiking the Inca Trail reaches 4,280 masl on the 2nd day.

Will I need to bring water?

We recommend that you purchase a 1.5 – 2 liter bottle of water to take with you on the first day. Every night during the trek, we will boil water so you can refill the same bottle every morning before setting out. If you are planning to drink from any streams or waterfalls, we strongly suggest you bring water purification tablets or filters.

Is the trail still good during the rainy season?

Some people actually like to go during the rainy season because there are fewer tourists but we say please be prepared for wet weather and have suitable clothes and equipment. Possibly snow, so be prepared for a possible change of route if a pass is deemed impassable by the guide. We do not recommend this trek in the months of January, February and March.

Will I be able to witness the sunrise at Machu Picchu?

You first encounter Machu Picchu as the sun rises over the high mountains encircling it. It is already dawn but this impressive moment of Machu Picchu coming out of the shadows of the looming mountains is awesome.

Will I be able to climb Wayna Picchu Mountain?

As long as you book and pay in advance for certain dates in high season, it may be necessary to pay 3-4 months in advance, last minute bookings of this trek will possibly miss out on permits in high season so we can include the Machu Picchu Mountain permit instead, the trail to Wayna Picchu is safe, very steep with use of chains and not recommended for those with vertigo. It is about an hour and a half round trip. And there are only 2 times during the day you can climb with a sign in and out security system.

Will I need any extra money?

It is indispensable such as the natural hot springs in “Aguas Calientes” (10 soles), and/or Cocalmayo hot springs in the town of Santa Teresa and tips for the trekking staff, souvenirs, snacks in Machu Picchu, bottled water, drinks, etc. You should take at least 300 soles as emergency money.

Do Tour guides speak English?

Completely fluent in English. Our guides are also one of the most popular aspects of our tours some of them being historians and archaeologists and all demonstrate a great passion for their culture and heritage.

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